Triple Cream Arborio Rice Pudding

Creamy, dreamy stovetop rice pudding.

Rice pudding is a dessert I tend to forget about for a long time, and then suddenly crave. Rice pudding may not exactly scream modern! glamour! excitement! This arborio rice pudding recipe does, however, make a timeless, creamy, perfect dessert.

Adapted from one of the country’s all-time greatest pastry chefs, Claudia Fleming, this stovetop rice pudding recipe triples the creaminess by using the right rice, milk, and a simple, “secret” ingredient at the end. Cinnamon and orange-steeped raisins add even more flavor.

Why Use Arborio Rice for the Creamiest Rice Pudding

Rice pudding is pretty flexible when it comes to choosing a rice. Many recipes call for fragrant jasmine or plain white rice. Fewer call for arborio rice — but should. Here’s why.

Arborio rice is a short grain rice. Short grain rice produces more starch than long-grain rice. More starch means a sticky, creamy texture. Long grain rice varieties, such as basmati, have less starch. The individual grains will separate even when cooked, so those make a drier, fluffy rice.

Most commonly associated with risotto, starchy arborio rice creates a creamy texture all on its own, without any dairy. That’s why using arborio makes creamy rice pudding even creamier.

Milk and the creamy arborio rice together create a doubly creamy rice pudding. But this recipe goes for the trifecta: a triple cream. Fold in a dollop of crème fraîche or sour cream at the end. (Trust me.) The crème fraîche adds another layer of creamy texture, as well as a subtle flavor that cuts just enough into the sweetness to add a bit more dimension.

A Special Add-In

Such a creamy, special rice pudding needs special raisins to match. Plain raisins, a common rice pudding mix-in, are good. But golden raisins steeped in cinnamon, orange juice, and Grand Marnier are better.

If you don’t have Grand Marnier, Cointreau or even orange juice makes a good substitute, or leave it out altogether. The subtle orange and cinnamon flavor will be enough to enhance the custard.

Creamy Arborio Rice Pudding: Recipe Notes

• You can easily source arborio rice for this pudding recipe at any major supermarket, grocery, Italian store, or online
• Stir the rice pudding frequently while cooking. Stirring helps release the starch, and ensures that the rice on the bottom does not brown.
• Stir 3/4 of the raisins into the arborio rice pudding, and reserve the rest to garnish, along with a bit of orange zest

You’ll also love:

• Homemade Dark Chocolate Pudding
• Caramel Apple Pie With Butter Crust
• Tropical Coconut Ginger Rice

Print Recipe

Triple Cream Arborio Rice Pudding

A creamy rice pudding, now even creamier with arborio rice and crème fraîche.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time50 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keywords:: arborio, creamy, dessert, easy, pudding, raisins, rice, rice pudding

Servings: 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients

For the Rice Pudding

• 5 cups milk (not skim)
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup arborio rice
• 3/4 cup crème fraîche or sour cream

For the Steeped Golden Raisins

• 1/2 cup golden raisins
• 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier or fresh orange juice
• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
• zest from 1/2 orange
• enough cold water to cover the raisins fully

Instructions

For the Rice Pudding

• In a large saucepan, bring the milk, sugar, and vanilla to a boil. Add the rice. Stir, and boil for one minute.
• Reduce the heat to a low simmer and cook for 45 to 50 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened and creamy.
• Pour the rice pudding into a bowl and stir until cooled to room temperature.

  PRO TIP: Speed the cooling process by putting the bowl over an ice bath. Even setting it over a bag of frozen vegetables will help speed things along.

For the Raisins and to Finish

• While the rice pudding is cooking, zest an orange, if desired, and set aside to garnish.

  Heat the raisins, Grand Marnier or juice, cinnamon, and enough water to cover the raisins in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then immediately remove from heat. Steep for about 15 minutes. Drain.
• Whip the crème fraîche or sour cream to fluffy, soft peaks. Gently fold into the rice pudding, along with 3/4 of the raisins. Chill until cool.
• Spoon the rice pudding into serving bowls. Top with a few more raisins and, if desired, a small sprinkle of cinnamon and some orange zest.

  This rice pudding will keep, refrigerated, for up to two days. Rice pudding tastes best very cool, but not cold.